Originally published: January 16, 2012

Subaru has a strong following among people who like to take the road less travelled, be it to the wilderness for some adventure in an Outback or to the race track with a high-powered WRX.

Subaru is aware it has a strong niche following, but to become bigger it needs mass appeal, with a bit more style, while staying true to the qualities that garner it such a strong following in the resale market.

The Impreza is a perfect example of a Subaru car that was missing that mass appeal. It had a strong list of qualities but it didn’t bubble to the top of shopping lists the way the Honda Civic, Mazda3 and Hyundai Elan-tra did. In order to move the Impreza into the limelight, Subaru has put this compact car thought a host of changes for 2012. It is now ready for the main stage.

THE SKIN

Sold as a 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback, the Impr-eza now features a similar look to the Legacy sedan, but with more angles and sharper detail which give the car extra curb appeal. Subaru knows its all-wheel-drive system and reliability are the major draws to the brand, and with this new design they hope to make an emotional connection. How-ever, practicality has not been thrown out in the name of style.

This Impreza is very easy to use as an everyday car. The door openings are very large, especially the back, making entry into the Impreza easier than ever. The cargo area is taller in the hatchback model for easier access, while the trunk is ample in the sedan. On the whole the packaging is very good and with a new look, the Subaru Impreza should garner more attention.

The WRX, with its wide body kit and boy racer looks, is not in the same market as the Impr-eza, and over time the two will have even less in common.

THE COCKPIT

Exterior updates can only take a car so far to compete. The interior of the Impreza needed more loving attention than the outside ever did. Gone are the hard, cheap-looking plastic pieces in favour of soft-touch materials and an easy-on-the-eyes design. The dash is lower, as are the side windows, making the cabin feel bigger. In fact, the new Impreza is slightly wider, creating more passenger space, and the longer wheel-base provides better legroom.

The top two goals for this new Impreza were improved fuel economy and better design, and with regards to the interior, this new model is a big step up. With the starting price $1,000 less than the outgoing model, at $19,995, the Impreza isn’t the cheapest car in the compact class, but Subaru feels that its strong resale value helps offset the initial upfront costs.

THE RIDE

A host of changes continues underneath the new Impreza. Still utilizing a low mounted, horizontally opposed 4-cylinder, the new Impreza has a low centre of gravity for better handling. Larger stabilizer bars and improvements to the suspension give the Impreza a nice balance of comfort and handling. There is an all-new 2.0-litre engine that has 148 hp and more torque than the outgoing, larger motor. This new unit is faster and much more efficient. Adding to the fuel savings story is a body structure that is 50 kg lighter than the previous model, with new low-friction brakes and electric power steering. The biggest change is the new continuously variable transmission that cuts fuel use by 10 per cent but still delivers a rewarding drive. For buyers who still like to change their own gears, a 5-speed manual transmission is available.

THE GOOD, THE BAD

The Good: The size and shape of the Impreza is very practical.

Bad: Bluetooth is not standard at $19,995.

VERDICT

The question I keep asking myself is why spend more on an Impreza when there are a host of cheaper cars on the market that offer more standard equipment? The basic thrust of the Subaru story always comes back to their all-wheel drive system, which is standard on all models. For Canadians who like the added security of AWD, the added expense might be justified. The strong resale value of many Subaru products is another selling feature; just try to find a good used one. Subaru feels that the improvements to the Impreza bring the advantages of AWD in line with the fuel economy that most people expect from a front-wheel drive car. The ease of use, when it comes to loading and unloading the Impreza, cannot be oversold; this really is a good package. At just under $20,000 this new car might not be mainstream, but it will attract more buyers looking to drive the road less travelled.